1952 AMC 12 Problem 43
Attempt Problem 43 of the 1952 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1952 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.
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43.
The diameter of a circle is divided into equal parts. On each part a semicircle is constructed. As becomes very large, the sum of the lengths of the arcs of the semicircles approaches a length:
Equal to the semi-circumference of the original circle
Equal to the diameter of the original circle
Greater than the diameter but less than the semi-circumference of the original circle
That is infinite
Greater than the semi-circumference but finite
Answer: A
Small Hint:
Let the original diameter be , so each small semicircle has diameter
Big Hint:
Multiply the arc length of one small semicircle by the number of parts
Solution:
Each small semicircle has diameter so its arc length is The sum of all arc lengths is exactly the semi-circumference of the original circle. This equality holds for every positive not merely in the limit.
Thus, the correct answer is A.